J&B Rare Blended Scotch Whiskey Review
By Richard Thomas
Rating:D-
Despite the name, there is nothing rare about J&B Rare whatsoever. This is the entry-level scotch of one of the most mass market labels around, a fact exemplified by J&B billing itself as “The World’s Party Whisky.” You can find the green glass bottle, yellow labeling and red print of J&B just about anywhere that alcohol is legal, and it’s been the drink of choice for everyone from Truman Capote to John Wayne Gacy.
My own J&B experience stems from John Carpenter’s 1982 classic The Thing. The protagonist, the chopper pilot MacCready played by a young, hirsute Kurt Russell, must have a pallet of J&B stashed at that Antarctic research station, because he opens the movie by pouring some into and destroying his irritating chess computer. Station staff are seen taking pulls off a bottle of J&B periodically right up to the last scene in the movie. It’s one of my favorite films, and in an insidious example of product placement programming children, I developed a predisposition for J&B that flowered in my college days… or at least it did until I discovered better scotches in the same class, such as Grant’s and Ballantine’s. It’s been several years since I touched the stuff (excepting the overrated J&B 15 Year Old), but I decided to return to humble J&B Rare for this publication.
The Scotch
On the nose, J&B has a sweetly nutty character, with hints of peat smoke and wood. That character carries over onto the palate, where it has a sickly sweet and grainy taste. This syrupy style is quite a surprise, since the scotch is a very pale gold in the glass, and almost transparent.
J&B Rare is reportedly a blend of 42 different whiskeys, although I don’t see how drawing from more than three dozen different sources is something to boast of. In this case, the result is a scotch that in terms of scent and taste is lacking in character. It’s a mellow scotch, but one without complexity or subtlety. This only changes with the finish, which starts out positively cold, but ends with a little bite. I didn’t care for that, but it was at least different.
The Price
This is cheap stuff, but the price tag isn’t light enough to reflect the cheapness of the contents. Standard bottles often go for less than $20, and 1-liter bottles are available for around $25. I often see it in Europe for 10 or 11 euros. Even so, there are much better mass market scotches out there for the same price.
I agree that this is a very plain whiskey.I don’t know why anyone would buy a scotch to mix. I’d buy a decent amber rum instead. J & B is not for real scotch drinkers. Its for kids who want to pretend.
And yet Christopher Hitchens…a very accomplished and life-long drinker of Scotch…chose to drink Johnny Walker Black…a blended Scotch that you would likely call a “pretender.”
It was Hitchen’s favorite Scotch…and he could easily afford to drink any brand of any Scotch.
It all boils down to personal preference and subjective criteria.
I actually rather like it. And I could swear it’s improved. My standard daily is bushmills black bush. Although ironically most of my malts are heavily prayed isleys. I find it has a bit of sweetness a bit of smoke and is as cheap as chips.
I just tried J&B again tonight. I can get White Horse for cheaper, and it tastes better. I just bought a little 355ml, as hadn’t had it for a couple of years. After I finish it, I’m sticking with the Horse. Doesn’t taste like a blend of that many whiskies, to be honest. Yeah, it’s less smoky than Walker, but I’m on a budget.
Well said James.. I have been enjoying j & b scotch for 50 years and enjoyed every bottle.
Agree. I enjoy my single malt as much as the next man, but I appreciate J&B for what it is: an easy, uncomplicated whisky, it’s…. a fun taste.
I am enjoying a tumbler of J&B right now. Is it the best scotch blend…no. It’s not terrible though. For the price, it’s pretty good. In addition, J&B is special for me because it’s ubiquitous in every Giallo I have ever watched.
There is that. J&B was a fixture in many films of the 1970s and early 1980s, but Giallo in particular.
I just recieved a bottle I have dated as before 1976 by the tax stamp. Slightly evaporated, came in a green gift box which I opened.
The bottle remains unopened at this moment.
Thoughts?
Charles,
Whiskey doesn’t age in the bottle, so it isn’t getting any better, and a mass market brand such as J&B isn’t going to appreciate in value very much. Just drink it.
I did and it was drinkable, not fantastic, not Famous Grouse (another blend).
Scotch and soda fits the bill when I’m in the mood for a cocktail. I wouldnt waste a good single malt so I’ve tried a few of the more ubiquitous blends. I did not like JW Red, Cutty Sark, Famous Grouse or Chivas. J&B on the other hand is very pleasant and Dewars will do as well. That said, Ive never tried them neat. Ive got a bottle of Old Pulteny for that. When Ive finished my bottle of J&B Im going to try Black Bottle.
I am just drinking J&B, I have already tried it some times ago and I must say I like it very much in dispite what others here stated. For me personally, J&B is far better and enjoyable taste than Balantines and Johnnie Walker Red Label. I find J&B very simple and easy going Scotch whisky. Although I do not understand how come it is produced in London!!!?? (That’s what etiquette on the bottle says)
I think whisky actually does age in the bottle, if bottle has been opened, right?
It can degrade due to contact with sunlight and the open air, but “aging” usually means “maturing” when it comes to liquor, and it doesn’t do that. Red wine, for example, is said to “bottle age” because it continues to mature as its tannins break down, not because of the chance it might turn to vinegar. I hope that clears up the terminology.
We did a feature on the subject of how long whiskey lasts, and what can be done to preserve it: http://whiskeyreviewer.com/2016/05/how-long-will-my-whiskey-last-051316/
Well said, just bought a bottle, first time in many moons. Having a slurp on ice right now.
Delicious, the world seems better place already.
As one who has enjoyed J&B for 40 plus years I would agree that enjoyment is a product of your individual palate admixed with years of interaction and resulting expectations.
As an aside I am trying to figure out where J&B Rare is now distilled. Might you have the address of the actual current distillery?
J&B immediately became a favourite for me, I like the distinct tastes of many whiskys including a Japanese variety, but find myself drawn back to a familiar taste in J &B . Price is relatively high for this blended product in the UK but available at much lower prices in Europe.
I was disappointed with the J Walker red recently, and are going to try a bottle of Cutty Sark next time I see one.
Great Scotch, will always be in my home. Dean Martin’s and my favourite.
This is my first bottle of J&B , but so far , I’m impressed . It’s a budget minded scotch with enough character to make it a contender . I’m not well versed in scotch . I’ve tried the 12 year old The Glenlivet which was very smooth but lacking any real character . I’ve tried Monkey Shoulder which was pretty good for the first half of the bottle , but developed a green taste after airing a bit . I’ve tried Johnny Walker Red and Black . I wasn’t to impressed with the red , but the black was okay . That’s about where I’d rank the J&B , as on par with the black , but with a much better price . I realize the variations inherent in the distillation of liquor and acknowledge that I might have got a better than average bottle , but I’ll probably try more in the future based upon my experience with this one .
It tastes and feels much better than the review. Smooth, light, no strong taste and odors, and no hangover.. Really worth its price. Since it doesn’t have a strong taste, it should appeal to all..
I agree this is a great blended whiskey for the price.Great smoke scent no bitter after taste.I enjoy it on the rocks.Can’t believe the rating of D-.I would give it a B+ for the value and taste.
I have tried many whiskeys in my life, and I agree, though there might be various brands better than J&B, for some unknown, probably nostalgic reason, I keep on being drawn back to J&B. In comparison to others, it is surprisingly light and “fun”, for lack of a better word. It’s one of those that you can put your feet up, light a smoke and sip slowly to forget about worries for a while. As I say, my connection is most probably more of nostalgia than anything, but it makes me think of good times with my family,J&B was always at any given party along with the others, and it connects to my heart. So, though it may not be the best there is, its a “happy” whiskey, and lord knows, in today’s world we all need a bit of happy………….
I was given a sealed one quart bottle of imported DuNHEATH 86 proof rare blended SCOTCH Whisky, product of Scotland. It is several years old but have no idea of actual age. Can you tell me any information about this whisky? Is it okay to drink? Value? Thanks
I love J&B Rare Scotch Whisky because it is completely unpretentious. It’s made for mixing and it mixes beautifully. I like a blended Scotch on the rocks with a dash of dry ginger ale, and J&B is the one for me. I also happen to like Dewar’s White Label and Teacher’s Highland Cream, but I just keep coming back to J&B because it works so well. I love the pale amber color too, which means an absolute minimum (if any) of 150d!
The reason JB actually stands a cut above a lot of other inexpensive blends is that it has no tannin bitterness from re-used casks. It’s only about 25% malt, but Caol Illa gives it character and the predominant grain is quite smooth. It has a light sweet and smoky flavor and no funkiness like Grant’s or Old Smuggler. It is also very very consistent, like McDonald’s fries. For this reason it is my preferred cheap scotch.
Very well stated.When I need a break from buying expensive single malts, J&B is my choice. A little touch of Caola smoke with a little sweetness and citrus. Contrary to what most believe,I appreciate it as a slow sipping,neat drink. One dram of this in the afternoon ( retired ) and a late evening pricy single malt and I’m pleased. The taste of J & B is subtle, gentle and friendly. People should not get into the “ comparing “ game and just enjoy it. Cheers.
J&B is not exactly the dread some experts will have you believe…..it has a dry nose with some aroma and smoke ..the palate is similar with some more pronounced smoke …the finish is not too pronounced but gets stronger with an emerging grain ;however, it is not at all bitter…..I think I detect some Speyside background throughout the experience….all in all a nice blend to sip or mix….I like it as I do Cutty Sark even though they differ. JMO
Sells for about $7 in the Philippines.
Now that is what I call pricing to the local market.
I’m no whisky expert, but I’ve drank a lot of ‘em, good uns, too. I like Lagavulin 16 and Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban as well as a slough of other top shelf single malts. I also drink Evan Williams bourbon and Clan Macgregor. I have to say I respect others’ opinions as my own. But, I’d also say this: taste is subjective. Despite my affinity with top shelf single malts, I’m sipping Jand B right now and enjoying it. I guess the last thing I’d say is a quote from whisky sommelier Daniel Whittington of The Whisky Vault: “The best whisky is the one you like to drink the way you like to drink it.”
Yup its good,$ 28.00 a handel ,yup its cheap..flavor notes is slight lemon peal and perfect smoke..way way better than DRAIN POUR GRANTS SCOTCH.cheers-
I’m 70 and started with Chivas at 18. In Between, I’ve tried a lot of scotches, both single malt and blended. J&B is my favorite of all of them. My 1.75 liter bottle is almost empty so I will have to go shopping soon. I like J&B neat, on the rocks, with still water and in my favorite cocktail, the time tested Rusty Nail (scotch and Drambuie.) When I find that it is a bar’s well scotch, its like discovering treasure. We recently went to Cabo and I was in heaven. The bars at the Garza Blanca Resort had J&B as well as my gin, Beef Eaters, in their wells. Gin and tonics on the beach and scotch before, during and after dinner.
Any whiskey tastes alright by the third serving
ALMOST true 😛